How to… Make an Easy No Sew Tutu

This week’s tutorial is a lovely easy how to make a tutu… Though I am getting better and keener at sewing, I do love all things no sew, as not everyone likes to sew or has a sewing machine. So when Anna from The Imagination Tree shared this no sew tutu with me, I knew we had to “have it”. Honestly. It is EASY. You will be making more and more and then some more for all the girls at nursery or preschool! A trained teacher, Anna has a wonderful playful blog – full of sensory play, play dough (she is The Queen of Play Dough recipes) and of course Arts & Crafts. Oh and UK Parenting bloggers voted her Parent Blog of the Year 2011. Well, that isn’t to be sniffed at? So, if you don’t know Anna or her blog, time to visit  The Imagination Tree! Over to Anna:

• elastic
• tule/ netting in your choice of colour

I originally bought this pink netting on a roll for C’s fairy party to decorate the garden with. The rolls were 25 yards each. I planned to reuse it eventually to make some tutus and the width and length turned out to be just right, which was lucky! I sourced this on eBay and it was very reasonable.

First of all, measure around the wasit using the elastic, making sure it’s quite snug as otherwise the tutu will fall down when dancing! Tie it into a circle.

Then cut the tule into a pile of roughly equal lengths. Mine were about the length of my forearm, but that’s hardly exact! You can be more precise if you wish. I was aiming for quick and easy 😉

Take one piece and fold it in half. Lay it over the top of the elastic. Tuck the two ends behind the elastic and through the little gap in the middle, pulling it snugly to form a simple knot.

Don’t make it too tight as it will be hard to move the strips around later if you need to adjust them.

Continue adding the pieces in this way, tying them as closely together as possible to give it a really full look.

You can be as inventive or simple as you like at this stage. For one of the tutus I used just one shade of pink. For the other I used mainly pale pink but added in a few darker ones too. You could also add ribbons using the same method to attach them.

Continue tying the pieces on until the elastic is completely covered. This will cover the knot too.

That’s it!! Find some willing volunteers to test them out and have some fun!

C. calls this her “twirling skirt” and I think that’s a perfect description!

It’s not all perfect in terms of matching lengths, but I secretly admit to quite liking that effect! Not too pristine, but still plenty of frothy-girly-goodness for dressing ups, make believe and dancing!

And for looking pretty darn cute with your sister too!